Scene Eighteen
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Immoral Scarlet
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I returned home hopping with joy. I still couldn't believe I had passed the test so easily. But now, I had something far more important to deal with. After taking a shower, I wandered the halls of the mansion.
I entered a certain room after knocking several times, finding inside a man in his fifties.
It was my eldest uncle, Oshino, immersed in his usual paperwork.
He raised his eyes to me and spoke calmly, avoiding looking at my face, "What is it you want, Naruto?"
"Well, well, I just came to check on you. It's not like I have anything urgent," I replied.
Oshino glanced at me sidelong before setting his papers on the desk with indifference. "I might have believed that—if it weren't you talking to me."
I lowered my head slightly and smiled. "Your insight is truly sharp. I'm amazed anyone could've ever controlled you."
Oshino's gaze sharpened as he looked at me.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You know exactly what I mean."
He tried to feign innocence, but it was already too late for that—at least with me.
"No, I have no idea."
"If you've forgotten, allow me to jog your memory a bit..."
I began to explain what had happened when he was caught plotting to assassinate me, and that slip of the tongue he made—one that no one else had noticed at the time.
(Note: Naruto is referring to Oshino's conversation with Michael at the beginning of Chapter 14, up to the end of the tape recording.)
Oshino completely avoided eye contact as I spoke.
"That man... the so-called 'Your Excellency'—you're referring to the mafia boss who controls Konoha from the shadows, aren't you, dear Uncle?"
I smiled slowly as I uttered those words calmly—words that must have struck him like a bomb, given how his eyes widened in utter shock. I watched his expression closely.
"I don't know what you're trying to say."
"There's no point in denying it. I already know what's happening behind the scenes."
I looked at him quietly and continued in a soft voice, "Mizuki—the one who attacked me a year ago—was part of that organization. He told me everything."
I stepped closer to the desk, placing my hand firmly on it. "That's why I need you to understand this and tell me what you know about that evil organization—anything, even the smallest detail. I'm certain that plan to eliminate me only served his interests."
Seeing the fire of vengeance in my eyes made Oshino realize something: he was never my true target to begin with. He knew now that my revenge was aimed squarely at the man pulling the strings behind the scenes.
That's the one I want to bring down—not his pawns. I don't care about them.
The snake dies when its head is severed, no matter how much the body slithers.
Oshino looked away, visibly anxious. No doubt he'd already cut ties with the organization, but he was clearly under threat if he revealed anything.
"Please... anything will help, Uncle Oshino!!"
I couldn't bring myself to threaten him. My expression softened to one of pleading, my fists clenched tightly, and my voice trembled with desperation.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about... If you have nothing else to say, I suggest you leave now."
I sighed sharply and turned my face away in disappointment.
"I understand. I won't blame you for keeping quiet out of fear." I glanced at him from the corner of my eye with a dark expression that drained the color from Oshino's face as I continued in a tone darker than my usual self: "But believe me—his end will be a miserable one. One not even the worst of enemies would wish upon him."
Oshino felt suffocated as he stared into my face, now shadowed with darkness—except for my eyes, which seemed to glow the color of blood rather than their usual sky-blue hue.
I opened the door and walked out without saying another word.
I figured I wouldn't be able to get anything out of my uncle.
I exhaled sharply, frustration building in my chest, and decided to go for a walk to clear my head.
While strolling around the area and thinking about my next steps, I suddenly heard a gentle, pleasant singing voice.
Curious, I followed the sound—and what I saw left me stunned.
It was none other than the rising star Immoral Scarlet herself, standing right before me.
Wearing her signature white mask and with her hair dyed a vibrant crimson, she sang openly in public.
She was singing here? Near our clan's territory?
That took some serious courage.
She sang with such passion and love that she didn't seem to notice anyone around her. I stood among the crowd, fully immersed in her lovely voice.
Just listening to her peaceful song was enough to lift my mood.
She truly possessed remarkable talent.
Suddenly, three men in formal black suits and sunglasses appeared. They approached Immoral Scarlet rapidly—too fast for anyone to notice.
She spotted them, but it was already too late. She tried to escape...
But they caught her.
"Let me go!!"
Even after finishing her performance, she kept speaking in a tone different from her real voice. She had clearly trained for this for a long time.
This shouldn't be happening to someone so talented.
"Stop!!"
I burst forth from the crowd, most of whom were frozen in fear—while others had already fled.
"Y-You..."
Of course, the guards were from the Uzumaki clan. But they couldn't simply act like my subordinates in public.
I needed to handle this tactfully to turn the situation in my favor.
I dashed toward one of the guards, shoved him aside, grabbed Immoral Scarlet's hand—and we both took off running.
The guards exchanged nervous glances, then gave a half-hearted chase. They didn't want it to seem like they were letting us go on purpose.
I had already issued an order for them to retreat once we were out of sight.
"Don't worry, I'll get you out of here!!"
I shouted while pulling Immoral Scarlet along—she was still stunned.
After running a long distance and shaking off the guards, we stopped to catch our breath.
"Are you okay?" I asked with concern as I looked at her.
"Y-Yeah. Thank you for helping me."
"Heh, it was nothing. It just didn't feel right to see you being arrested like that. My body moved on its own."
It was a small white lie. Although... it was unfair for her to be treated that way.
"Do you want to grab a bite to eat?"
"I can't really..."
"It's fine, it's fine! Let's go!"
I took the lead, encouraging her along. She didn't have much chance to decline, so she reluctantly followed me.
As we walked, I asked, "You're a rising singer, right? You debuted less than a year ago, and you've already become this popular. That's really amazing."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, I truly admire that." I smiled at her.
"I see..." Immoral Scarlet smiled softly and tilted her head sweetly.
"I went through a lot to get where I am, so your help today is something I'll never forget, Naruto-sama..."
"My name's Naruto."
She seemed to be speaking quite closely, but I gave her my name anyway—just in case.
"Naruto–kun, thank you so much."
Immoral Scarlet suddenly stopped and bowed deeply to me in gratitude.
"There's no need to go that far..." I waved my hands nervously.
She straightened up and walked ahead slightly, clasping her hands behind her back.
"You're really kind, Naruto–kun."
My cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment. "U-Uh, thanks..."
Suddenly, I remembered something. "By the way, I've got a friend who's a huge fan of yours. I'd really appreciate it if you could sign something for him!"
"A fan? Well, if it's for you, Naruto–kun, I don't mind," she replied with a hint of surprise.
"Awesome!!"
Hehehe, Kiba's going to be grateful to me for the rest of his life!!
Or maybe he'll beat me up for not introducing her to him instead...
In any case, we continued walking together until we reached a restaurant, where we sat and talked. She was prepared for anything—even her custom-made mask could detach at the lower part, allowing her to eat without revealing her identity.
I had no way of figuring out who she really was.
Not that I was too interested... but curiosity is a powerful thing.
Watching her eat and seeing her soft, rosy lips stirred certain feelings inside me.
Damn it...
I turned my face away, blushing slightly. I couldn't believe where my thoughts were going. I hoped she hadn't noticed me staring.
I slowly raised my gaze to check—only to find her already staring back, a look of mild surprise on her face.
My eyes widened in shock, and I looked down quickly in embarrassment. She had noticed...
"Pfft... hahaha!"
Her cheerful laughter rang out as she watched my nervous reaction.
"S-Sorry..."
"It's fine. It didn't bother me."
Immoral Scarlet smiled, then slowly raised a finger to her lips, touching her lower lip playfully as she said in a teasing voice, "Do you want to kiss me?"
"Huh??"
I was completely caught off guard and shouted in shock, my face burning red. The people around us glanced over in irritation.
"Hahaha, I'm kidding! I'm kidding!"
Immoral Scarlet continued laughing boldly, ignoring the stares and whispers from the other diners.
"Cut it out already!!"
I shouted in frustration, face still crimson. This was so embarrassing—especially with people watching!!
---
"Thanks for the meal, Naruto–kun."
After we finished eating, Immoral Scarlet bowed to me in deep gratitude.
She was surprisingly humble for a singer. That was admirable—but in the entertainment industry, humility and kindness alone won't keep you on top. Showbiz is far more ruthless than it seems.
We went out for a walk around the city and eventually reached a hotel.
"This is where I'm staying. If you ever want to talk, you can visit me here—but make sure to call first, okay?"
She handed me a copy of her ID card. Of course, it was for her singer identity—not her real one.
"Got it. I'll drop by now and then."
I smiled softly at her.
"Alright then... see you later, Naruto–kun."
Immoral Scarlet walked toward the hotel, waving goodbye.
I turned and decided to stroll around the city a bit more.
Immoral Scarlet... I never imagined she'd be this close. The world really is small.
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Scene Eighteen
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Immoral Scarlet (End)
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Elsewhere, in the vastness of Konoha...
Apartment number 250. A tiny space barely big enough for one person—let alone two siblings living together.
"Are you done, sweetheart?"
"Yeah, I've finished packing."
"That's great. From now on, we'll be living in our own home, Ino!! No more worrying about being kicked into the streets again!"
Deidara smiled warmly at his little sister, who was carrying her bags.
---
For seven years, Deidara had worked tirelessly and saved enough money to buy a house for the two of them.
Their father had been an unemployed drunk with a foul temper and a disgusting personality.
Deidara had suffered through ten years of abuse from that man. But then his younger sister was born—the reason his heart remained pure despite everything.
Their mother had suffered terribly too because of that man.
She had been just a high school girl when she discovered she was pregnant with Deidara.
The sweet and gentle man she once knew—the one she had loved dearly—changed completely after being forced to marry the sixteen-year-old girl he had gotten pregnant.
And now, at twenty-six, she became pregnant with their second child...
She could no longer bear the cruel life she was living.
The man she had once loved now beat her and called her a filthy whore—insulting her and striking her.
Her poor son was subjected to the same: pain, abuse, and cruel slurs like "bastard child" and "whore's brat," all during the drunken fits the father would fall into each night after assaulting her.
She alone worked tirelessly to keep the fragile image of a family from falling apart.
After Ino was born, she reached her absolute limit. Illness consumed her...
She spent years bedridden until she finally passed away—leaving the burden of little Ino on her older brother's shoulders.
At just fourteen, Deidara had to take on the responsibilities of the household—protecting and raising his sister while enduring his father's abuse.
He worked various jobs to earn money—sometimes even resorting to theft. On top of that, he still had to buy alcohol for their drunkard father to avoid beatings...
The years passed slowly and heavily for Deidara. But now, at eighteen, he had made the decision to take Ino and run away—leaving that monster behind.
He had worked so hard for seven years and endured so much. But now, he could finally feel a sense of peace. He could finally dream of a future with his sister.
Just thinking about the pain they'd endured stirred something heavy in his chest. But this wasn't the time for sadness.
"Onii-chan, we'll be late if you don't hurry," came Ino's voice, bringing Deidara out of his thoughts.
"Yeah, I'm coming, sweetheart." His sorrow dissipated instantly. Why feel sad, when his sister was safe and smiling? That alone was enough to make him happy.
---
Once they arrived at their new home, both siblings felt deeply at ease.
"From now on, this is where we'll live, Ino."
Deidara looked around the house with a wide smile.
Ino jumped onto his back and hugged him tightly.
"I don't care where we live, Onii-chan—as long as we're together..." She closed her eyes and held him close.
Deidara placed his hand over hers and gently squeezed. "We'll always be together, sweetheart."
"Yes!!"
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To Be Continued